This One Pot Rigatoni Alfredo with Chicken and Kale in a creamy, rich, garlic and parmesan sauceĀ is serious comfort food! Scroll Down for the video of the recipe.
Chris has just been editing the video for this dreamy one pan dinner, and after watching several clips of that creamy-cheesy sauce, we both agreed I need to make it again.
Like now!!!
Let's talk Alfredo.
I'm gonna look like a bit of a dumb-ass here - but I really thought Alfredo originated in the USA. The first time I heard of it, it was for a copycat version of Olive Garden's Alfredo. And we all know Olive garden is an American chain.
When I looked into it more, recipes for this glorious creation were mostly on US websites.
Alfredo isn't something I've seen on the menu at Italian restaurants in the UK, so that further confirmed my suspicions (and trust me, the pasta section is the first one I look at in any Italian restaurant).
Carbonara is the only menu item that even comes vaguely close in terms of creamy spaghetti ā and Iām sure any Italian would curse me for suggesting thereās any similarity between carbonara and alfredo (I agree!!!).
I didnāt even see it on our holiday to Italy last year.
So I was pretty surprised when my research showed me that Alfredo did originate in Italy ā in 1914 by a man named Di Lelio, who made it to please his pregnant wife. She was feeling nauseous (ergh, I remember those morning sickness days well!), so he made her plain fetticine pasta with a little butter and parmesan. A simple dish with no scary, strong flavours.
I think itās fair to say that the Italian-American version, and indeed my version, is very far removed from that original dish!
Version of this One Pot Rigatoni Alfredo with Chicken and KaleĀ has parmesan, and a form of pasta. Thatās as close as it gets!
Nevertheless, the creamy fettucine-based dish thatās so well known today is closer to my version. Iām just changing it up a little because:
- I was in the mood for rigatoni (rigatoni and spirali are my favourites ā probably because they take more sauce!!)
- I saw some Cavolo Nero in the shop ā which if you havenāt had it before, is a form of kale, but like kale Mark II. Darker, stronger and prettier. I had to include it in my alfredo.
- I wanted to save on the washing up - so a one pan version was definitely called for!
Throw some chicken in there, plenty of cream and garlic, then lots and lots of parmesan, and you have the perfect sitting-in-front-of-the-tele-watching-Game-Of-Thrones dinner. (OMG did you see it!!! I love that program almost as much as pasta!!)
If you're a fan of one-pot meals how about one of these too:
One Pan Spaghetti and MeatballsĀ in a tasty tomato sauce, or One Pot Chicken and Garlic PastaĀ - less creamy than the alfredo, and with a hint of lemon.
TheĀ Alfredo Chicken One Pot Pasta with Kale and Rigatoni Recipe:
One Pot Rigatoni Alfredo with Chicken and Kale
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 chicken breasts - chopped into bite-size chunks
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 small onion - peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic - peeled and crushed
- 7 oz (250g) dried rigatoni pasta
- ā cup (160ml) homemade or good quality chicken stock
- 2 cups (480ml) whole/full fat milk
- Ā½ cup (120ml) double (heavy) cream
- 2.5 oz (70g) Cavolo Nero kale - roughly chopped
- Ā¾ cup (75g) Parmesan - grated
To Serve:
- pinch black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan (skillet) on a medium heat. Add the chicken, along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for approx 6-7 minutes, turning regularly until browned and just cooked through.
- Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Cover with foil to keep warm.
- Add the chopped onions to the pan and fry gently for a couple of minutes until the onions start to go translucent. Add in the garlic, stir and cook for 30 seconds. Then add in the pasta, stock and milk. Bring to a simmer, stir, then cover with a lid or foil. Turn down the heat and cook gently for 10 minutes.
- Remove the foil and stir in the cream and all but 2 tbsp of Parmesan. Add the kale, cover again and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until the kale has wilted.
- Add the reserved chicken, stir and allow to bubble for a couple of minutes to allow the chicken to warm through.
- Sprinkle on the remaining parmesan, then sprinkle on a pinch of black pepper and fresh parsley before serving.
Video
ā Notes
Nutrition
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links ā which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! Thatās what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.
Reet says
Hi Nicky,
Greetings from "Down Under". This is a lovely dish, I couldn't find any cavalo nero but I used ordinary kale & it was delicious.
When i was young my mum would make polenta & i literally loathed it, so I would have to make my own dinner as my mum wouldn't cook a second meal just for me, I I would cook some pasta & add a little butter & a little parmesan cheese. We called this "pasta in bianco" (white pasta) i never imagined that it was an "alfredo" dish, but you learn something new everyday.
Thank you again for a great recipe
Kindest regards
Reet
Nicky Corbishley says
So glad you liked it Reet.
Your pasta meal sounds lovely - sometimes simple is absolutely the best!!
Stephanie says
Was fantastic. I added mushrooms and I think I added a little too much cream but very easy and I appreciated the minimal dishes!
Deandra says
In addition to the listed ingredients, I added cherry tomatoes, zucchini, chilli flakes and some butter -- Because, well butter makes everything better! Very good though! š
Linda says
Delicious, thank you, I added a few herbs, everyone lived it so it's a keeper!
Kerry says
Question rather than a comment: Can I double the quantities and get the same results?
Himmie says
This was very nice. Everybody liked it..
Laura S says
So tasty, easy, and adaptive (I used spinach instead of kale and added sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes). Love that it's one-pot too; it's always nice when my dishwashing is at a minimum! My boyfriend usually isn't a fan of creamy pastas, but he went for seconds on this one and kept telling me how good it was! Definitely saving this one and making it again!
AmandaH says
This was a big hit with my family tonight! I really liked the process of making it all in one pot. Next time I will add even more kale. I ended up needing to cook the pasta longer than the recipe suggested. I think this will become a part of our regular dinner rotation.
Teresa Caven says
Only recently found your website & like the look of many of your recipes. Cooked this today & both my partner & I loved it - will deffo be trying more of your recipes! Thereās enough left for another meal, please advise how long this will keep in the fridge & the best way to reheat it - thanks.
Munjoth Kaur says
I added Sweetcorn Mushrooms n Green Peppers to mine
Tasted so nice
Will be using this recipe again
Amie says
I've probably made this once a month for the last 3 years, it is a firm favourite in our house. The two of eat the amount for 4 people, we just can't get enough of the garlic creamy goodness! (and we add more garlic sometimes!) Plus anything in one pot is amazing. Thank you so much!
S says
Loveeeeed this recipe! I used leftover grilled chicken, and added sliced mushroom to this and I couldnāt fault anything. So flavourful I want to go back for more and more!!! (But cant because calories š )
Thanks for the recipe!
Valerie zaker says
How many points per serving?
Nicky Corbishley says
Do you mean Weight Watchers? sorry Valerie, I've never done weight watchers, so I wouldn't know how to work this out.
Katy says
Love one pot dishes, for a quick mid week supper. This is going on our meal plan rotation.
Dowon says
Hi, Nichy,,, Your video doesn't work. Screen is black faded and keep trying to download only.
Could you please checkout by operating on your PC.
Thanks
Dowon says
Hi, Nicky,,, I correct the previous comment on your name to "Nicky".
Sorry....................